The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

"What's worse is that my parents won't even pay me a salary. If I leave the

company, I could end up with no money, no job, and no place to live. Life might

get really tough," Casper said.

He wasn't lying-he knew exactly how his parents treated him. He didn't dare to

be optimistic because they wouldn't cut him any slack.

Zane stayed quiet for a long moment before asking, "So, do you really have to

return home?"

Casper shook his head. "It's not that I have to go back. It's just that it's hard to

stay here and see Jessica. When she chose me, she really wanted to build a life

together. But my family treated her like garbage, and I didn't do enough to protect

her. I hurt her, badly.

"I wanted to make it up to her, but it's too late now. She's got her job and earns a

lot. She doesn't need me anymore. I figured maybe leaving would be better for

both of us."

Zane immediately understood how to handle the situation. "You have two options

right now."

Casper asked curiously, "Yeah?"

"The first option is to stay with our company and help your parents deal with thenoveldrama

issues at their company in your spare time. If you do that, you not only keep your

job, but once the project goes public, you'll get a hefty cut. Plus, you can help

resolve the problems at your parents' company."

Casper was slightly tempted by this suggestion. He asked, "What's the second

option?"

Zane shrugged. "You stick to your original plan. Go back home and face

everything you just told me about. These are my suggestions. Whatever you

decide, I'll respect your choice."

Casper already favored the first option. "If I choose option one and stay here, how

will I deal with Jessica?"

Zane replied indifferently, "Simple-in a city this big, running into someone by

accident is hard. But avoiding them forever? That's easy. Just make sure that if

you ever run into her, you turn the other way and avoid her. That's all."

Casper thought quietly for a long time. Suddenly, Zane's words made a lot of

sense.

Given the current situation, staying

here would be the best choice for

him as long as he could resist the

urge to see Jessica and avoid her if

they ever crossed paths, ensuring

she never saw him.

After all, if he went back, he'd have no choice but to accept his parents'

arrangements. He didn't want that.

Casper spoke earnestly. "I've made up my mind. I'm going to stay with the

company."

Zane nodded, satisfied. "Good. I'll head out then. You can handle the rest on your

own."

"Okay," Casper replied, watching as

Zane left the room. Once the

conference room door closed, he

pulled out his phone and called his

father.

Gary answered quickly. "Why did you call?"

Casper said calmly, "I'm calling

because I want to know what's

going on with the company. What's

the problem this time?"

Gary sounded defensive. "Are you trying to lecture me?"

Casper almost laughed. He'd asked about the company, and Gary's first

assumption was that he was being criticized.

Casper chose his words carefully. "I need to know what's wrong so I can come up

with a plan to fix it. That's all."

Gary caught the underlying meaning in Casper's words. "So, you're not planning

to come back?"